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martysdalton's review
medium-paced
2.0
For years I worked for the publisher of this title, IVP, I no longer do and doubt I'd be qualifed to anymore, given the signature they require on a statement of belief, included as part of their employment contracts. I've abandoned Christianity and am better for it in countless ways. Dawkins has been an informative and challenging figure in my life post-christianity. I recently read The God Delusion for a second time, this time as an atheist, and found it excellent. Is it harsh towards religion? Absolutely. But I don't mind that, religion deserves harsh critique.
Alister's counter title, though clearly he's a very intelligent and well-researched writer, is ultimately unconvincing. The first 20 pages are not counterpoints so much as elaborate and combative name calling. He wanders around some insults and finally lands where so many apologists land: "Dawkins just doesn't understand the literature, he hasn't done the research"... Sigh. I'm so bored and tired of this tactic and discrediting. Ultimately, though I will agree with Alister's last section of the book that religion isn't all bad the way Dawkins characterizes, Alister fails to present anything alternative.
There's not a single correction. There's only complaint. The extraordinary claims of life after death, resurrection, miracles, prayer, the Trinity, on and on and on (from just a single religion mind you!) still have no more evidence, persuasion or power. Of course Dawkins isn't right about everything, and I'll give you that he overlooks many benefits that different religions create in society, BUT it doesn't do anything to prove that "God" is in fact anything more than...a delusion.
Alister's counter title, though clearly he's a very intelligent and well-researched writer, is ultimately unconvincing. The first 20 pages are not counterpoints so much as elaborate and combative name calling. He wanders around some insults and finally lands where so many apologists land: "Dawkins just doesn't understand the literature, he hasn't done the research"... Sigh. I'm so bored and tired of this tactic and discrediting. Ultimately, though I will agree with Alister's last section of the book that religion isn't all bad the way Dawkins characterizes, Alister fails to present anything alternative.
There's not a single correction. There's only complaint. The extraordinary claims of life after death, resurrection, miracles, prayer, the Trinity, on and on and on (from just a single religion mind you!) still have no more evidence, persuasion or power. Of course Dawkins isn't right about everything, and I'll give you that he overlooks many benefits that different religions create in society, BUT it doesn't do anything to prove that "God" is in fact anything more than...a delusion.
arabiangothic's review
1.0
Frankly, this book is definitely not one to be taken seriously. It's filled with inflammatory statements and obvious misrepresentations of atheism whether deliberate or not.
Not only does it portray atheism as a world view, it also portrays it as some sort of cult where Dawkins is the leader.
No, atheists aren't out to get you and your religious beliefs, and no, not all atheists are anti-theists.
I strongly urge everyone to dismiss this book as nonsense that lacks a proper argument.
Not only does it portray atheism as a world view, it also portrays it as some sort of cult where Dawkins is the leader.
No, atheists aren't out to get you and your religious beliefs, and no, not all atheists are anti-theists.
I strongly urge everyone to dismiss this book as nonsense that lacks a proper argument.
neyhart's review
4.0
I wish this book were a little longer and meatier, but I suppose the nature of Dawkins book didn't really leave room for that kind of engagement. As McGrath said, Dawkins' book "is often little more than an aggregation of convenient factoids suitably overstated to achieve maximum impact and loosely arranged to suggest that they constitute an argument" (13). Therefore, trying to rebut every inaccuracy would be tedious and dull. So instead, McGrath chose key points to challenge him on.
coolhand773's review
4.0
When I picked up this book, I thought to myself that the authors were going to have a hard time disputing 400 pages of atheist vitriol with less than 100 pages. I was wrong. The McGraths (husband and wife), both fellow Oxfordians with Dawkins, cleanly and effectively eviscerate many of Dawkins' most egregrious arguments in The God Delusion. I did my best to approach this book with an open mind (as I did with Dawkins' book) and to weigh the arguments on their own merit. This task was much easier to do, reading The Dawkins Delusion? than it was reading Dawkins himself. While Dawkins goes out of his way (and indeed out of the confines of scientific inquiry) to castigate and villify believers, the McGraths don't attempt to alienate atheists for their beliefs. They simply ask that Dawkins drop his pretensions of objectivity and uncorrupted rationality and examine the highly subjective and irrational book that he has penned. The Dawkins Delusion is not an apologetic for Christianity (although it is discussed and the McGraths are both Christian) but instead seeks to engage Dawkins on a handful of his arguments. They state from the beginning that the book will not be a point-by-point refutation, but will instead examine key points and let the reader contemplate the fidelity of the rest of Dawkins' book.
I felt that this book was an even-handed and honest counter-point to The God Delusion. The authors highlight the points that they believe Dawkins gets right and challenge the points where he fails. It is a small book, but a fairly dense read. I read it twice to make sure I understood everything and I'm glad I did. While I don't agree with the McGraths across the board, theologically, I admire their deft and competent refutation of The God Delusion, which I found to be a highly flawed and hypocritical book. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has read The God Delusion. It is important to read Dawkins' book first, so that the references in The Dawkins Delusion? make sense. Thanks for taking the time to read my review!
I felt that this book was an even-handed and honest counter-point to The God Delusion. The authors highlight the points that they believe Dawkins gets right and challenge the points where he fails. It is a small book, but a fairly dense read. I read it twice to make sure I understood everything and I'm glad I did. While I don't agree with the McGraths across the board, theologically, I admire their deft and competent refutation of The God Delusion, which I found to be a highly flawed and hypocritical book. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has read The God Delusion. It is important to read Dawkins' book first, so that the references in The Dawkins Delusion? make sense. Thanks for taking the time to read my review!
clarel's review
4.0
This book is concise and well-reasoned, and serves its purpose as a contrast and alternative to The God Delusion by means of those very characteristics.
timothyo's review
4.0
Sharp, quick, easy read rebuttal to the mess that is the God Delusion by one of Dawkins' Oxford colleagues.
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